Robbie Neilson insists Saturday’s gut-wrenching defeat to Aberdeen can have a positive impact on Hearts.

Having lost 1-0, to a penalty conceded in near-comical circumstances by a distraught Jordan McGhee, the Tynecastle side missed the opportunity to close the gap on the Dons and have instead slipped seven points behind in third spot in the table.

Neilson has rejected negative psychological effects of Dons defeat

The Gorgie men, back in the top-flight after winning the Championship at a canter last term, have now gone three games without a win but, with almost half the season gone, still appear to have an excellent chance of clinching European qualification.

And, rather than being damaged psychologically by Saturday’s last-gasp defeat to Adam Rooney’s 87th-minute penalty, Neilson reckons the blow could make them stronger.

The Hearts head coach said: “It’s good that we’re part of games like that. Eighteen months ago we weren’t, 18 months ago we were struggling.

“Now, we’re (going to Pittodrie) and losing 1-0 – and being devastated.

“If anything I think it will have a positive impact.

“We’ve gone to Pittodrie and possibly could have won it.

“And we’ve lost from a mistake, a mistake that any player could make, and it’s just something we’ll have to accept.”

He added on the BBC: “We’re still working hard, we’re still in a great position and we just have to try and continue that.”